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Azerbaijani scientist imprisoned in Iran: I could have been executed

25 August 2010 11:51 (UTC +04:00)

Rashid Aliyev spoke about two years in prison. He reiterated that he had been arrested illegally in Iran and said he had undergone psychical shock in Tehran jail.
â€œI went to work in Iran. A big company invited me to work in the field of laser technology. We carried out great activities there. When the term of the contract with the company expired, I decided to return. But they did not want to let me leave. Despite this, I insisted on returning. Later, I was arrested on groundless charges. I was accused of spying. I could not explain that the company invited me as a specialist. I learned this technology in Azerbaijan and applied in your country. How could I transfer these technologies to Azerbaijan? It was an absurd accusation. But finally I was released,â€ he said.

Rashid Aliyev said human rights were violated in Iran, the state of law was grievous, the defendant was not allowed even to have a lawyer.
â€œWhen I was arrested Iranian intellectuals said my accusation was very grave, I could be executed,â€ he said.
Aliyev first of all blamed the company for his illegal arrest.
â€œMy rights were violated. The company was to ensure the security of its employees. But it failed to do it. Therefore, I am going to sue Sazan Electronics Industry Company of Iran,â€ he said.

Rashid Aliyev said he did not know why he had been arrested and on what reasons released from prison.

MP Sabir Rustamkhanli said the parliamentarians had taken serious measures concerning the arrest of the Azerbaijani scientist.
â€œWe were concerned over the arrest of Rashid Aliyev. The worst thing is that millions of Azerbaijanis living in Iran failed to defend him. We want the Azerbaijanis defend one another no matter where they live. This is our struggle,â€ he said.

Rashid Aliyev, the leading engineer of the lab of Physical Problems Institute of Baku State University, worked in Sazan Electronics Industry Company in 2006-2008 at the invitation of the company and within the framework of the contract signed by consent of Baku State University. He worked in Semnan city of Iran and led the first installation and exploitation of automatic program controlled technological laser system, preparation of perfect experience for modern laser systems and test stand.

The company offered permanent job to Aliyev for many times, but he didnâ€™t accept it and returned to Azerbaijan. Rashid Aliyev last returned to Iran on October 5 after insistent invitation by the companyâ€™s director Abbas Eftekhari. On October 6, he was arrested under the pretext of visa problem.

He was released from prison on August 11 and brought to Azerbaijan on August 12.